Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie

Lawn Weed Identification & Control Tips

How to identify and manage Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) often called Creeping Charlie, a
very aggressive lawn weed that is difficult to control when established
in lawns. Photos are included to help with weed id.

It has low growing, creeping stems that form new plants where they root at the nodes. This creeping/spreading nature along with it liking shady places makes it very competitive in lawns.

Creeping Charlie has a minty smell when mowed or crushed. It is edible -
some enjoy it in salads - and used in alternative medicines.

Found in lawns throughout the United States. It grows well in
shady areas and thrives in cool weather. In some parts of the
mid-west, it is considered to be the most common and difficult lawn weed
to control.

It is a spreading perennial that is often misidentified as Common Mallow and Henbit.

Weed Control

A moist, shady area with low fertility will favor creeping charlie growth over many lawn grasses.

Weed Images

Hand Weeding - This is a very difficult weed to pull because it
roots along the nodes...breaking off and then re-growing. Creeping
Charlie usually wins this battle.

Chemical Control - The best time to control creeping charlie
with a broadleaf herbicide is fall and in the spring - when it is
flowering. Combination products of 2,4-D, dicamba and MCPP/MCPA work
better than 2,4-D alone. Triclopyr-based products are even more
effective than 2,4-D products.